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Cyrus’s lips spread into a real smile, but then his bottom lip split open again, and fresh blood seeped out.
A sigh escaped Mila’s, and she moved to help Cyrus with his shirt first, then held a piece of gauze to the cut and stepped back. “We’re going to have to get you into some warmer clothes too.”
“I’m literally part polar bear. I can take the cold,” Cyrus argued.
“No, you’re part human who lost a lot of blood and who hasn’t healed his wounds yet.”
“Fine.”
Mila helped Cyrus maneuver into more clothes.
“Well.” She looked around the cavern. Her eyesight skimmed over the two bodies. She really didn’t want murder, blood, and gore as a routine part of her life.
Mila made a mental note to talk with Cyrus when he was healed and away from the bitter cold.
“What should I pack up?” She pointed to the lockbox. “I assume you want this lockbox. And the statue, correct?”
“Yes,” Cyrus mumbled. Not because he was grumpy but more because his lip had swelled up.
Mila packed everything back into the lockbox, including the artifact. She closed the box and set it next to one of their supply bags. Then, she looked at Cyrus’s parents. “I don’t think we can take them with us, Cyrus.”
He nodded in agreement. “I know. Authorities from the city need to do their police work and investigation here. They’ll want to take care of everything.”
“How are you going to explain this to them?” Mila chewed on her lip as Cyrus stood.
He used the wall to support himself, taking Mila’s hand. “These things have a way of working themselves out. Clearly, these men were attacked by a bear. With the other two bodies in this cave, anyone who doesn’t know much about shifters will assume a bear dragged them in here. Otherwise, there is a common rule in our world. Battles are usually to the death.”
Cyrus shrugged but had a pained look on his face, which had nothing to do with his injuries. “I don’t like it, exactly, but it’s understood. There might be some things we have to square, but I’m not worried about this.”
“Okay,” Mila kissed Cyrus’s purple and black eyes. “Let’s not make a habit out of this.”
“Understood. I won’t.” Cyrus kissed Mila’s cheek and rubbed his thumb across her chin. “Thank you.”
Mila nodded and led the way out of the cave.
* * *
It did not takeMila and Cyrus long at all to get to Star Village science station. When the researchers and people saw them, someone came out to help Cyrus. “He’s been attacked by a bear,” Mila explained.
They rushed him into the village and their medical facility. Mila was surprised to see how quickly the other smaller bumps and bruises healed, and she breathed easier when Cyrus was back in the hut with her.
The room was small, but it was big enough to hold a table, two folding bunk beds, and a bathroom. The mattresses were just big enough for Cyrus to lay down on, but his broad shoulders took up the entire width of it.
Mila sat in a chair, studying the figurine in her hands. “I guess the legends were made up,” she said. “There is no power in this cute bear-head couple.”
Cyrus sighed. His parents’ search had been in vain. They must’ve realized that too. He figured that after his parents fought Irving and his stooge, the blizzard Irving mentioned gave his mom and dad cover to get away, leaving no trail. Fatally injured, the two continued on to the cave and made their way to the cavern, where they stashed the lockbox, hoping someone would find it and know the truth. Then they lay down and died in each other’s arms.
As if reading his mind, his mate whispered, “You know, their search wasn’t for nothing.”
He grunted. “Why do you say that?”
“Because if not for this adventure, I wouldn’t be here.”
Then it all clicked. She was right. If Miles hadn’t left, he never would’ve been looking for another assistant. Mila would’ve never come to him otherwise. He had everything because his parents died going where their passion took them. It was now time for him to live his passion too.
He took her hand in his and kissed her fingertips. Cyrus released a shuddered sigh.
“It’s over.” His voice was so low that Mila didn’t know if she’d heard it at first.
